Although the details are still sketchy, Amazon's decision to build facilities in Florida and begin paying the state sales tax on its Internet transactions is a significant development in the ongoing battle between Florida retailers and their online rivals. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]

Florida enacts law to ease B-D registration

Financial firms hoping to establish operations in Florida just got a boost. Last Friday, Gov. Rick Scott signed a measure that made the Sunshine State a so-called notice-filing state, which means that a broker or adviser's application for a branch office is instantly approved once it is filed with the state. [Source: Investment News]

Baby boomers moving to Florida for low taxes

Baby boomers are moving out of high-tax states in favor of Florida that has no state income tax, according to a new analysis by West Palm Beach-based Newsmax magazine in its June issue. The magazine calls it a "new wave of migrating boomers, many of whom bring with them substantial wealth and means." [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

Florida hits lowest rate ever for infant mortality

Florida's infant mortality rate is at an all-time low. State health officials credit improved prenatal and infant health care for the good news. The infant mortality rate dropped from 6.4 out of every 1,000 live births in 2011 to 6 in 2012. [Source: AP]

Immigration bill would let Canadian snowbirds stay in Florida longer

Florida already is the top destination for Canadian snowbirds, and more could flock to the Sunshine State soon. Tucked into the massive immigration reform bill being debated in the Senate is a provision that would allow retirees from Canada to stay up to eight months in the United States -- two months longer than current law allows. [Source: WTSP]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Study: Tampa port has $15.1 billion economic impact[Tampa Bay Times] A new economic impact study shows that the Port of Tampa generates $15.1 billion annually for the Tampa Bay region. That figure represents a huge boost from the $8 billion economic impact revealed in a 2006 study, which was the last time the Tampa Port Authority commissioned an examination of its fiscal impact on the state and region.

› Visit Sarasota County’s Classrooms Of Tomorrow[StateImpact Florida] They are called the classroom of tomorrow, but school districts around Florida must start thinking about similar projects now. That’s because Florida law requires half of all instruction be delivered digitally by the fall of 2015.

› FedEx asking for key approvals from Ocala, Marion County[Ocala Star-Banner] The Ocala City Council and Marion County Commission will be asked Tuesday to sign a number of agreements with FedEx Ground that will pave the way for the company to complete the purchase of a large chunk of land along Interstate 75 and begin construction of a massive distribution center.

› Training providers responding to job market's needs[Tallahassee Democrat] A changing business environment with new employment needs has training providers adjusting to the demands of the marketplace. The result is the addition of new opportunities for job seekers to add skills or prepare themselves for different occupations.

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› U.S., Cuba to discuss re-opening direct mail service[AP] A U.S. official told the Associated Press on Monday that the United States and Cuba would resume talks this week on restarting direct mail service -- a diplomatic foray which may be at once uniquely outdated, and potentially significant.

› Critics hail "modest" reforms to nuclear advance fee law[Tampa Bay Times] Gov. Rick Scott has signed the bill that toughens guidelines for utilities that want to collect money from customers in advance for construction of new nuclear plants. Critics of the nuclear advance fee hailed the governor's move as a critical step toward guarding consumers' money.

› Orlando entrepreneur center marks 10th anniversary with free seminars[Orlando Sentinel] Orlando's National Entrepreneur Center is celebrating its 10th anniversary Tuesday with an afternoon of free educational seminars for small business owners. The center, which is home to 11 different business organizations and service providers, will mark the occasion with a private event in the morning followed by three educational sessions in the afternoon.